LED strips in headlight failure- V8 vantage
Discussion
Dear members,
I solved my problems with my HID lights by replacing the ballast some weeks ago. Cause: Water in the headlights:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
After 2 weeks the next topic occurs. First the left HID strip failed and after some days also the right LED strip failed.
I read some experiences regarding the PCB in the headlight. This route I will follow probably. Is there someone who recognize this topic and would share his experiences regarding this topic?
I look forward to your support
Best regards,
Sybrand
I solved my problems with my HID lights by replacing the ballast some weeks ago. Cause: Water in the headlights:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
After 2 weeks the next topic occurs. First the left HID strip failed and after some days also the right LED strip failed.
I read some experiences regarding the PCB in the headlight. This route I will follow probably. Is there someone who recognize this topic and would share his experiences regarding this topic?
I look forward to your support
Best regards,
Sybrand
This topic is a known issue on them, the led fails because of the pcb as you say.
My understanding is that if the car is under warranty the whole headlight unit is replaced, and if not then you have to pay to have it done, which is not cheap.
Repairing the pcb is very difficult because apparently it is I side the sealed unit.
Sounds like you are not having much luck with it, hope you get it sorted.
My understanding is that if the car is under warranty the whole headlight unit is replaced, and if not then you have to pay to have it done, which is not cheap.
Repairing the pcb is very difficult because apparently it is I side the sealed unit.
Sounds like you are not having much luck with it, hope you get it sorted.
Sybrand,
Got your email however will post here for reference.
I had this on my last Vantage, not my current one.
I would be nervous about trying to repair your headlight units if I'm honest. I say this because you can't be sure (due to finding water in the unit) if it is the PCB that's broken or the LED strip. Astonmartinbits.com will sell you a replacement PCB and / or replacement LED strips. Replacing the PCB is a lot cheaper than trying to repair it (trust me, through experience) however you may do this then realise it's the LED strip that failed not the PCB (again, trust me through experience).
Best thing to do if you want to go down this route is to take the headlight out and open it up. Easy to splice open the glued joins in the plastic headlight unit by using a sharp blade and then the internals just clip out. I would personally then try and light the LED strip up to see if it works (i.e. try and diagnose which part has failed). Then I would go about buying the parts and replacing. Bear in mind you need to do this for both units.
If it were me: I would buy new (used) units. The whole process was a PITA and took time. New LED's and PCB's will set you back the price of probably one repaired unit therefore half price but a lot more hassle - and no guarantee it will work. In saying that, you could buy used units and the same thing happens so for the avoidance of doubt repairing might be a better option for you.
Lewis
Got your email however will post here for reference.
I had this on my last Vantage, not my current one.
I would be nervous about trying to repair your headlight units if I'm honest. I say this because you can't be sure (due to finding water in the unit) if it is the PCB that's broken or the LED strip. Astonmartinbits.com will sell you a replacement PCB and / or replacement LED strips. Replacing the PCB is a lot cheaper than trying to repair it (trust me, through experience) however you may do this then realise it's the LED strip that failed not the PCB (again, trust me through experience).
Best thing to do if you want to go down this route is to take the headlight out and open it up. Easy to splice open the glued joins in the plastic headlight unit by using a sharp blade and then the internals just clip out. I would personally then try and light the LED strip up to see if it works (i.e. try and diagnose which part has failed). Then I would go about buying the parts and replacing. Bear in mind you need to do this for both units.
If it were me: I would buy new (used) units. The whole process was a PITA and took time. New LED's and PCB's will set you back the price of probably one repaired unit therefore half price but a lot more hassle - and no guarantee it will work. In saying that, you could buy used units and the same thing happens so for the avoidance of doubt repairing might be a better option for you.
Lewis
Dear Lewis and/or other forum members,
I think I will follow the route by replacing the PCB and LED. This because it is very tough to find a complete pair of used EUR/LHD headlights. Astonmartinbits.com can deliver me the spareparts which is also financially more attractive. I don't calculate my own efforts off course.
To avoid extra efforts and especially reduce risk of unnecessary damage: Which part of the headlight do I have to open to replace the PCB and LED? The upper glass part or the black backside halfway the headlight?
Look forward to your reply
Thanks in advance and best regards,
Sybrand
I think I will follow the route by replacing the PCB and LED. This because it is very tough to find a complete pair of used EUR/LHD headlights. Astonmartinbits.com can deliver me the spareparts which is also financially more attractive. I don't calculate my own efforts off course.
To avoid extra efforts and especially reduce risk of unnecessary damage: Which part of the headlight do I have to open to replace the PCB and LED? The upper glass part or the black backside halfway the headlight?
Look forward to your reply
Thanks in advance and best regards,
Sybrand
Once you take the headlight out of the fender it's very obvious. It's housed under the lights themselves. The strip needs to come out anyway therefore cut round the seal that holds the clear part of the headlight cover in place and then unclip it off (you'll see the clips). If you are lucky, someone might have already done this and if so you'll be able to unclip immediately. Some people don't bother bonding them back together and some i've been told don't come bonded in the first place!
The LED pulls out from the top and the PCB behind the black plastic under it.
The LED pulls out from the top and the PCB behind the black plastic under it.
Retman said:
What if just one individual led has failed rather than the whole strip - is this a simple fix or a whole new unit and if so is it a warranty issue too?
That will be the whole strip unless you are a dab hand with a soldering iron and know which type of LED it is and where to get it AFAIK AM simple replace the whole light unit under warranty (inside the 3 yr factory one anyway)
Sounds to me, to be either poor quality LED's or they are being over driven. Too much current to get the required brightness.
LED failures although not unheard of are quite rare, for so many to fail on what is essentially a very limited run product seems to ring an alarm bell in my head.
I wonder if anyone has tried using a current limiting resistor in series with them (between the PCB and LED strip)
LED failures although not unheard of are quite rare, for so many to fail on what is essentially a very limited run product seems to ring an alarm bell in my head.
I wonder if anyone has tried using a current limiting resistor in series with them (between the PCB and LED strip)
^^^X7LDA said:
Once you take the headlight out of the fender it's very obvious. It's housed under the lights themselves. The strip needs to come out anyway therefore cut round the seal that holds the clear part of the headlight cover in place and then unclip it off (you'll see the clips). If you are lucky, someone might have already done this and if so you'll be able to unclip immediately. Some people don't bother bonding them back together and some i've been told don't come bonded in the first place!
The LED pulls out from the top and the PCB behind the black plastic under it.
Dear Forum Members,The LED pulls out from the top and the PCB behind the black plastic under it.
I parked the problem with the LED strips for the winter months. So I just started to try to solve the issue with the LED strips. The easiest route is to replace both total headlight units. I will do that only after I have tried other alternative and cheaper routes which are off course more complicated and challenging.
I tried to remove the glass from the headlight unit; Unlock the clips and try to cut the seal with a very sharp knife. No success!!!.
I am sure if I use more tools and pressure I will break the class. My questions to you:
-Is there another method/tool to replace the glass from the headlight on a save way?
-If I make a hole in the side of the (black plastic) unit is it possible to reach and to disassemble the PCB for the LED strips? (No risk for glass damage and afterwards I can repair the black plastic)
If someone has knowledge or experiences in the topic, please give me your comment.
Thank you in advance
Sybrand
Received your email…
When I had this problem on my last Vantage I had to apply a lot of heat to get the clear plastic 'glass' to part with the black plastic, even after I cut round the seal and unclipped the unit. I would personally go down this route with a hairdryer - and just take your time. There is no other way in (that I'm aware of). The idea to cut the plastic doesn't seem like a good idea to me. Knowing the size of the PCB it would have to be a big hole. Also, if the LED strips have failed and the PCB is fine (which is what happened to mine) then you will 100% need to take the 'glass' cover off anyway.
When I had this problem on my last Vantage I had to apply a lot of heat to get the clear plastic 'glass' to part with the black plastic, even after I cut round the seal and unclipped the unit. I would personally go down this route with a hairdryer - and just take your time. There is no other way in (that I'm aware of). The idea to cut the plastic doesn't seem like a good idea to me. Knowing the size of the PCB it would have to be a big hole. Also, if the LED strips have failed and the PCB is fine (which is what happened to mine) then you will 100% need to take the 'glass' cover off anyway.
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